Ritual Knife

The ivory handle of this superbly crafted knife includes a thumbrest for a right-handed user. Carved rows of minuscule animals—including elephants, lions, a giraffe, and sheep—cover both surfaces of the handle. An artisan polished the flint blade on one side and delicately flaked the other to make a cutting edge.

• Medium: Flint, elephant ivory
• Geographical Location: Tomb 32, Abu Zaidan, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 3300-3100 B.C.E.
• Period: Predynastic Period, Naqada III Period
• Dimensions: 2 3/8 x 13/16 x 9 1/8 in. (6 x 2.1 x 23.2 cm)
• Collection: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, EXHIBITION-3, ECAMEA-3G44
• Accession Number: 09.889.118
• Image: 09.889.118_view1_bw_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 0,